Any good Pizza Places serving THICK crust?

[hungryabbey]

As much as I love a nice thin crust, sometimes I am craving a nice soft thick crust. Anyone have any good recs for a sit in restaurant (not take out/delivery) for thick crust?

[Moimoi]

This is going to seem like a crazy suggestion, but when I think about thick crust pizza, there are only two places that come to mind. The first is a place we used to go to when we were kids (over 30 years ago), and apparently it's still there and it's still good. I can't vouch for it now, but depending on your intuition, it might be worthwhile to check out. Il Paesano Pizzeria 396 Browns Line Etobicoke [phone]. I saw some online comments that it's still supposed to be good. The second place is in upstate New York, near Glen's Falls... un-believable!

[Googs]

The final tally of thick crust pizza votes from TdotFoodKing's brilliant Great Pizza Debate:

6- Danforth Pizza House - 920 Danforth Avenue
3- Regina Pizzeria & Trattoria - 782 College Street
2- Massimo's - 302 College Street
2- Venice Pizza - 2636 St Clair Ave East
2- Olympic 76 - 8-A Gloucester Street
1- King Slice - 1598 Bloor Street West
1- Columbos - Danforth/Coxwell -address ?
1- La Lucciola - 965 Eglinton Avenue West
1- Pizza Memo's - 407 Queen Street West
1- Camarra's - 2899 Dufferin Street
1- Gerrard Spaghetti & Pizza House - 1528 Danforth Avenue
1- Bellissimo Pizzaria & Ristorante - 164 The Esplanade
1- Amico's Pizza - 1648 1/2 Queen Street West
1- Golden Pizza - 1201 Broadview, 2360 Danforth Avenue, 516 Danforth Road
1- Pizza Pizza - various

As to which are sit down, well you're on your own there.

[hungryabbey]

this is very helpful! thanks!

[Googs]

Oh I know you get around girl. Wish I could tell you which ones had the best beer selection.

[lamaranthe]

I like thin crust pizze but I can share with you what was printed in one of the latest Thornhill Magazine Re: Thick Crust. I did not try any myself.
(1) First Prize to Dell'Ortolano - $ 28.50, 2899 Dufferin - - 416-789-3221
(2) Dante's Italian Pizza - $ 33.99 - 267 Bay Thorn Dr. - - Tel.: [phone]
(3) Papa CEO Pizzeria - 654 Spadina - Tel.: [phone] ( Pizza De Niro $ 18.50)
(4) Mezza Notte Trattoria 5304 Yonge - 416-222-2888 - Ask for Calabrese $24.80
(5) Classico Louie's Pizza, 2549 Yonge - 416-322-3267 - Ask for No.17 = $22.25
(6) Magic Oven - 788 Broadview - 416-466-01111 - Tandoori Chicken Magic $35

[tjr]

Chicago Style Pizza Shack in Hamilton. It's worth a drive. Get a stuffed pizza; a small will serve at least three people, six if you have small appetites as I do.

[childofthestorm]

Danforth Pizza House, takeout only, is the best thicker crust pizza in the city. So I wonder if there is a bar nearby that would let you bring one in?

I wonder about such things.

[millygirl]

Not true, Danforth Pizza House has a few tables and chairs to eat in.

[childofthestorm]

Sure, but if we are defining a sit-down place in terms of having some kind of ambiance, and being able to order a drink, DPH is not really a sit-down place. Often those tables and chairs are in disarray, or have stuff piled on them. It's a takeout joint.

[millygirl]

True enough, Although I do get a kick out of watching the owner at work, it's definitely not a place to linger, or a night on the town so to speak. On the other hand, if the poster is looking to satisfy a craving, you could have a seat and a brio and snarf down a great thick crust pizza. That's all I meant by it.

[childofthestorm]

Yes, I've sat there before, you are so right about watching the owner work. He is such a throwback, and does his work with a sense of exacting detail and pride.

[cheesymama]

The Only Cafe a few doors down will let you bring in outside food if their kitchen is closed. Not sure what time their kitchen closes at, but I have been there when DPH is open and their was no food to be had at The Only.

[Atahualpa]

The bar half of the Only will basically let you bring in food whenever. Definitely a good option here.

[Atahualpa]

Seconded. Great pizza -- I love the almost burnt bottom crust and totally browned cheese!

[happycamper]

I like Panago (I have only tried the Gerrard/ Bay location) for thick crust: always plump and satisfying.

[Googs]

I suspect many of the old-fashioned thick crust pizzeria suggestions you may get also attract the Beer O'Clock crowd that arrive promptly at 10:59am. Are you prepared for that?

[hungryabbey]

Yah, thats fine.

[Googs]

Okay then. I'm glad you asked the question. I've been waiting for an opportunity to say something about this place, Bellissimo, I've been quite happy with lately.

Bellissimo Pizzeria on the Esplanade between Jarvis and Sherbourne. I've been walking past this place for years on my way to the SLM. A friend of mine and I were exchanging our pizza woes as in "where can you get a good one the doesn't cost 40 bucks"? He lives in that 'hood and suggested Bellissimo. 3 perfect delivery orders later I'm a convert. On each occasion I was given a wait time and they matched it. The driver didn't have to call from his cell because he'd gotten lost. I could see all the toppings I ordered never having to check the bill to see what they'd left off. I would, however, look at the bill because I still can't believe I'm getting a medium with 6 toppings and they all come in around the 20 dollar mark. They were all piping hot upon arrival, and boy that's what pizza used to taste like before the chain of all chains arrived in Toronto. Dine in, take-out, and delivery offered. I haven't dined in, but I've popped in to pick-up a menu. Very definitely a Beer O'Clock place. Who cares when there's a decent pizza at a reasonable price to be had?
http://www.bellissimo.ca/

Another decent choice is Olympic 76 on Gloucester a stone's throw from Yonge St. I've only been a couple of times, but they were both pretty good. They even deliver the pizza to your table on a proper pizza stand! I love those hokey old things. They have a few wines, but only one good red on their list. Luckily that's all you really need. One thing I should note is that I had these meals on their patio. Inside I found the air to be a little damp smelling as can happen in the old buildings downtown. Mind you, these times were at the height of summer so that may be all there was to it. Dine in and take-out only.
http://www.torontoplus.ca/portal/profile.do?categoryID=2&contentType=0&profileID=1094808

If you care to drop a pile of cash for a wheel, then try Big Mamma's Boy on Parliament about a block south of Wellesley. Excellent pizzas with impeccable toppings. The service and management could use a little overhaul. Slow and clueless they are. The pizza is worth the trouble and wait and money. I hate to say that since it makes me sound like a pepperoni-masochist, but really. Whaddaya gonna do?
http://www.bigmammasboy.ca/

[hungryabbey]

is this Bellissimo place grungy inside (best for takeout)? Or can I respectfully eat inside?

[Googs]

Not grungy as far as I can tell. Just one of those beer and sports streamers, tv over the bar running a game, and beer displays/signs kind of places. Perfect if you're a hockey fan. Not so much for a romantic evening.

[sugarcube]

This is so helpful Googs, thank you.

Regarding Bellissimo Pizzeria, did you try any of the speciality pizzas listed (Calabrese, Bellissimo's, Mediterranean, Vegetarian) or other menu items?
Do they offer any other cheeses aside from Mozzarella and Feta? I didn't see any listed under 'Pizza Toppings'

[Googs]

You're very welcome. I haven't tried the specialties yet. Hubby & I tend to custom build. You'll notice some of the toppings for the set pizzas don't appear in the toppings list. You can order them anyway. I do. Pepperoni & calabrese sausage. Yum.

As for different cheeses, I haven't asked. It doesn't strike me as a goat cheese kinda place though. What I was looking for at the time I found it was old-fashioned 'za. I can get gourmet pizza with expensive toppings any time anywhere. The reverse is almost impossible. Finding it in an independent, well to me I may as well have found gold in my sock drawer.

If you want thick crust aaaand fancy toppings, that's Big Mamma's Boy.

[sugarcube]

Oh I'm looking forward to this Thursday's night class now and getting to try this pizza :)
I'll keep big Mamma's Boy in mind though!

[sugarcube]

Hi Googs,
I tried the pizza yesterday:)
When I arrived (around 5:30pm) the place was filled with people! ( a good sign). The owners(?) were very friendly and helpful. I ordered the pick up special: medium pizza with 3 toppings at $7.95! It was a steal in comparison to the crummy club sandwich I piad $7.00 for last week.
The pizza was generously covered with toppings and it really hit the spot. There was so much gooey mozzarella :).
As for the crust, I think I misunderstood the 'thick' implications... I was expecting a deep dish crust (like Uno's in Chicago) but what arrived was a crust that was about an inch thick. Nonetheless, it tasted pretty good (crispy on the exterior, soft and fluffy on the interior).

Thanks again
Cheers
SC

[sam_1]

Bellissimo's is fantastic! We've tried several of the specialty pizzas and the Calabrese is delicious. A bit on the spicy side though :)

[Googs]

Very glad you enjoyed it.